The Viva team reports live from New Zealand Fashion Week Kahuria, with coverage of the major shows on the schedule.

Today’s line-up opened with an off-site Zambesi show at Okahu on Tāmaki Drive.

Other day five shows include the Fashion For A Cure Runway, The Iconic presents The Front Row,

Check back throughout the day for updates, and head to Viva.co.nz for more Fashion Week coverage, including our reports from opening night, day two, day three and day four.

Zambesi

Stalwart Aotearoa brand Zambesi again delivered one of the most memorable moments of the New Zealand Fashion Week Kahuria schedule with its show, Song to the Siren.

Under the creative direction of Marissa Findlay, the collection combined the brand’s unmistakable dark romanticism with a light waterfront setting at Okahu Bay. Staged across the wharf and surrounding veranda at Okahu, the show made full use of its stunning waterfront location.

Models emerged concealed beneath silver emergency blankets, as they walked from the venue to the tip of the wharf where the show began.

The show opened with Muru Maipi sounding Karanga-a-Hape. The lengthy wharf provided a spectacular runway against a stunning backdrop, with Rangitoto on one side and Auckland’s skyline, Harbour Bridge and Sky Tower framing the other.

The models’ journeys continued across the venue’s veranda before they entered the building and re-emerged behind guests, ensuring every angle of the location became part of the performance.

Opening looks immediately established one of the collection’s defining themes: colour. A striking chartreuse satin dress led the way, introducing a shade that appeared throughout the collection in dresses, skirts and accessories. Rich golds featured in metallic skirts and tops, an aqua tailored suit gave a real wow moment in front of the ocean backdrop. Mustard hues brought warmth, and were balanced by the label’s signature black pieces.

Texture and transparency were also central to the collection; black satin dresses, sheer fabrics and strategically revealing layers created moments of drama. Accessories played a big role, with stylised caps, and frills en masse, adding character throughout.

One of the standout finale moments came in the form of a dark mustard sheer mini dress with a voluminous hem, paired with a matching clutch.

Beauty complemented the collection with hair styled into sleek finger waves with sculptural strands falling across the face and makeup focused on glowing skin and glossy lips.

The audience was also a testament to Zambesi’s enduring influence on New Zealand fashion. Singer Stan Walker, actor and longtime supporter Danielle Cormack, singer Benee, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, presenter Petra Bagust, actor Vinnie Bennett and broadcaster Laura McGoldrick were all in attendance, showing the immense respect and loyalty the brand continues to command across Aotearoa’s creatives. - Jenni Mortimer

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